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Why we think it's Essential - When you finish listening to The Name of Wind for the first time, you'll wonder where the hours went. When you listen again (and if you listen to it once, you will want to listen a second time) you'll marvel at the depth and intricacy of the fantasy world that Rothfuss has created. Details that initially seemed irrelevant will show themselves to be keystones of a greater story you didn't even notice the first time around. By the time your finger hovers over the Play button for a third time you'll realize that, to quote George R.R. Martin, "he's bloody good, this Rothfuss guy." Michael

Publisher's Summary

"My name is Kvothe. I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I have burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during the day. I have talked to God's, loved women and written songs that make the minstrels weep. You may have heard of me."

So begins a tale unequaled in fantasy literature - the story of a hero told in his own voice. It is a tale of sorrow, a tale of survival, a tale of one man's search for meaning in his universe, and how that search, and the indomitable will that drove it, gave birth to a legend.

What the Critics Say

“The originality of Rothfuss's outstanding debut fantasy, the first of a trilogy, lies less in its unnamed imaginary world than in its precise execution…As absorbing on a second reading as it is on the first, this is the type of assured, rich first novel most writers can only dream of producing. The fantasy world has a new star.” (Publishers Weekly, Starred Review)

“Fantasy readers-a notoriously discerning group-tend to dole out praise judiciously, which makes the reception of The Name of the Wind, the first volume in Patrick Rothfuss's The Kingkiller Chronicle, that much more remarkable. Critics are already throwing around comparisons to some of the biggest names in fantasy, including George R. R. Martin, Tad Williams, the recently deceased Robert Jordan, and even Tolkien. (Bookmarks Magazine)

“New fantasy authors are usually overhyped, and it's rare to find one who writes with such assurance and narrative skill right from the start. I was reminded of Ursula LeGuin, George R. R. Martin, and J. R. R. Tolkien, but never felt that Rothfuss was imitating anyone. Like the writers he clearly admires, he's an old-fashioned storyteller working with traditional elements, but his voice is his own. I haven't been so gripped by a new fantasy series in years. It's certain to become a classic." (Lisa Tuttle, The Times)

This isn't the kind of book I would normally pickup or download but a co-worker recommended it to me. Wow! Where to begin? The story itself is beautifully written. The author weaves stories within stories to create a fabric of fiction as warm and familiar as a favorite blanket. I was immediately reminded of Neil Gaiman's writing. I always joke that if I were diagnosed with a terminal illness that I would want Neil Gaiman to come to my house and read to me from one of his books as I cuddled up with my pound puppy in bed. (A little dark but you get my point!) I've added Patrick Rothfuss to the list as well. It's one thing to have a mind that can image, in great detail, an entire world and culture but it is a true treat to find an author that can both create and pull you into that world and make you feel like you are a part of it. I was afraid it would be too "fictiony", too many fairies and dragons. I'm not sure how but Rothfuss manages to incorporate them both without the story becoming too "fake". There is a certain harsh reality within the story that sharpens the sometimes softened edges of fiction. Excellent writting! Nick Podehl's reading is spot on! The character voices are wonderful. Not over the top but obviously performed. It's like having a great actor perform a great play. It's the perfect pairing. I can't wait to start on the second book. Enjoy!

As a first time audible listener, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to enjoy novels as much as when I read them myself, but this book convinced me that I can love it even more when skillfully narrated. The plot of the book even focuses on storytelling and masterful storytellers, and made me think deeply about how much more I enjoyed listening to Nick Podehl's performance of it.

The author builds a world as complex and thought out as any story I've read, and it feels much more real than most fantasy books, which piece things together over time, or present too much at once. The magic is fantastic as well, and ranks among the best I've encountered (simple yet brilliant).

It takes a while for the characters to build up steam (with a book of this length, it's no wonder), though the payoff is well worth the investment. The plot could easily be called formulaic, but is still very good, and manages to pull enough twists to keep you listening long into the early morning hours.

As mentioned before, Nick Podehl's performance was excellent, and by midway through the book, I didn't need to wonder who was speaking, as his voices were clear enough to speak for themselves. In the books I've read since, no other narrator has pulled it off better.

In closing, I'd say The Name of the Wind ranks highly among the best fantasy novels of the decade, and this audiobook is a fantastic narration of it.

So it looks like people either love or hate this book. I loved it and actually got the audio book just so I could write a review and listen to it before the next one comes out. Maybe it is because I read the actual book, but this is the first book I have read in a long time that I just could not put down. I read the whole thing in 2 days. It is true that this first of the trilogy is really just character development and setting the stage, there is not a whole lot of action yet, but I swear while reading it I felt like I was sitting there at the table with them and that is due to the incredible writing style. The way this book sucked me into it's world is amazing. I have read all the other greats of this genre and while many of them are wonderful, I never felt as attached to them.

This book tells the story of Cvothe and how, as he says in his own words he "trooped, traveled, loved, lost and was betrayed". Essentially this is your basic coming of age, rights of passage fantasy, where the young boy comes to terms with whatever strange powers he has while at the same time the story builds the cast of friends and enemies who will help and hinder him on his way. The story itself, while not wholely original is well written and engaging at all times. I found myself thinking about the book and its characters while not reading it, which is always a sign the book has captured my imagination. The writing style is clear and concise and the dialogue is excellent, which is more than you can say for most epic fantasies. It must be stressed that this is very much a character driven story. While we are given some details about the world the characters live in, this is really just to support the story, rather than to tell it. The book is not without its flaws. Firstly Cvothe is just that bit too brilliant. He is a masterful musician, he picks up new ideas almost instantaniously, he has a clever mouth and even cleverer hands. Secondly, the use of language is jarringly anachronistic at times. The language is very modern american in its use of expressions and slang and this does not always sit well against the obvious renaissance backdrop of the book. Lastly, the final third of the book seemed very flat. The sole purpose of the book seems to be to lay foundations for what is to come. Finally, I need to mention the narration. Nick Podehl does a fantastic job of narrating this book. His use of voices and accents throughout is just incredible. He uses just the right intonation and pitch of voice while at all times remaining clear and distinct.

Well... i started my audio experiance on Robert Jordan's Wheel of time. Then Brandon Sandersons mistborn series..then George R.R. Martains song of fire and ice... from there i bought books and they didnt match those 3 authors talent and story telling, i thought i would never get the story writing those autors gave me ...until now. Patrick Rothfuss's writing style and story telling is awesome I found it hard to put my headphones down at the end of the day...and the narrator is one of the best i heard to date.

Originally posted on my blog Good Books & Good Wine.
I’ve come to discover that I like rereading books via audio. It’s a whole to way to experience worlds I’ve already inhabited. In preparation for The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss, I spent one of my audible credits on The Name Of The Wind.

The audiobook opens with the strumming of a string instrument, I think it’s a guitar, which feels very appropriate to the story, as it feels like tavern music. This is a great opening. It sets the mood perfectly, as the entirety of The Name Of The Wind is told in a tavern – the Waystone Inn. Plus, I think when it comes to audiobooks the opening music should fit the themes of the book, and this one does quite wonderfully.

Nick Podhel, the narrator of the audio version of The Name of The Wind does an excellent job voicing the large cast of characters. I thought he perfectly nailed Kvothe’s emotions. With Podhel’s expert narration, certain events in the book just slammed me all over again. Certain characters took on a new life, as I now have a voice to go with the words — such as Trapis, the guy who takes care of Kvothe and other street children in Tarbean, also although he doesn’t need it, Ambrose is a bit clearer to me. Podhel nailed pompous ass. ALSO he did different accents for different characters who aren’t from the commonwealth which adds a certain flavor that I appreciated. I love it when narrators do different voices for their characters and put in accents, so it really feels like the book is brought to life.

However, this is a very long audiobook and took me a month or two to get through. It’s about 28 hours long. Yet, while I was listening, I never felt the length to be a burden. I guess when you are transported to the world of the university and Imre, length becomes unimportant.

I never write reviews but I do usually rate the audio books I truly consume my life. If you love Jim Butcher's Princeps' Fury and Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn Series, you'll love this first installment of Patrick Rothfuss. The narration is great due to the degree of character separation which ends up being entertaining story telling. I only wish I could find more series like this. I've ran out of scifi/fantasy books to listen to and crave more...

Where does The Name of the Wind rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

In the top 10% easily. It was really engaging. I love the characters, the stories within stories, and the feeling of really being there. The writing is smooth and gives enough detail to enjoy and build the world in a solid way, without being tedious and plodding.

The female characters are great too. They aren't cookie cutter types, and more like real people, they have good and bad qualities. You can't just peg them immediately as "the good girl" or "the mean one."

What other book might you compare The Name of the Wind to and why?

Pathfinder by Orson Scott Card is a similar book - a boy on a journey, fantasy, magic, but in a more-or-less believable presentation.

What about Nick Podehl’s performance did you like?

He makes you forget he's doing all the voices. His voice is very easy to listen to, and he doesn't rush it along, or pause too long between sentences. It's very genuine. I felt like I was being read to by a good friend.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. I couldn't turn it off.

Any additional comments?

I was eager to go to the next in the series right away, and I was glad it was also narrated by Nick Podehl. I'll look for more of his work, and can't wait for the next in this excellently written series.

So many fantasy novels, though their concepts are interesting, are ultimately mediocre at best, largely because they are written as clumsily as might be expected from an eighth grader with a C in English class.

Rothfuss has joined the very, very small group of fantasy authors (think Tolkien, Martin, Gaiman) who can not only build an intriguing world and spin an interesting story, but who can also use the English language with elegance and verve. His dialogue, expression of ideas (yes, there are IDEAS here, not just plot and character and setting), and description are written at a level that is appropriate for a well-educated adult.

Rothfuss uses a frame narrative, which is somewhat unusual for a fantasy novel, and which he handles with such skill that it greatly adds to the suspense of the story. His system of magic is well-conceived and not oversimplified, and his characters, though sometimes of mythic proportions, are never cliche. He builds a nuanced and believable world without the cardinal sin of "infodumping." In short, he has provided everything for which a serious lover of fantasy literature (as opposed to fantasy genre fiction) can ask.

Though I mention this is the best fantasy book since Mistborn, it is nothing like mistborn and that's what makes it so great. The book revolves around an inn keeper (living in hiding) having the memoirs of his life taken down by a scribe. It follows the first 15 years of his life. From tragedy that sends him to living on the streets to his attending university. This is the first book in the series and at the end you are left with more questions than answers but somehow you are still left satisfied while eagrly awaiting book 2 due out in December. The author creates these amazing adventures for the young protagonist whilst slipping in litle details that slowly forms a picture of much larger forces at work in the background. The book also focuses alot on descriptions of music, arts, and magic. I must truly say that this author decsriptions are like painting pictures of these things in your mind. For comparison, if you've read "Eragon" the descriptions of magic are very logical and explanatory, while in the book, the description magic are like poetry. This made the book new and refreshing. What can I say about the narration but "Bravo!". If u like Eragon, Harry Potter, Mistborn give this book a try. If you don't like the afore mentioned books, I'd still recommend that you give this book a try.

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